Ectopic lingual goiter treated by transoral robotic surgery

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Oncology
• Robotic Surgery

Background:

• Multinodular goiter of the lingual thyroid is a rare condition.
• Surgical intervention is typically indicated for symptomatic cases or suspected malignancy.
• Conventional external surgical approaches often lead to significant morbidity and cosmetic sequelae.

Observation:

• This study introduces the transoral robotic surgery (TORS) technique for the first time to address massive lingual goiter.
• A prospective data collection method was employed, gathering patient demographics, medical history, symptoms, comorbidities, and prescribed medications.
• The da Vinci Surgical System facilitated a transoral approach to the oropharynx, successfully treating a 31-year-old woman with a long-standing multinodular lingual goiter.

Findings:

• The TORS procedure for lingual goiter removal was completed in 115 minutes (tracheotomy: 25 min, robot setup: 20 min, console time: 70 min).
• Transoral robotic surgery is a feasible and safe option for managing multinodular goiter in the lingual thyroid.
• Patients experience a rapid recovery of swallowing and speech functions post-procedure.

Implications:

• TORS provides a viable, minimally invasive alternative to external surgery for lingual goiter, potentially reducing patient morbidity.
• This technique expands the application of robotic surgery in head and neck oncology and endocrine surgery.
• Further research should explore long-term outcomes and broader applicability of TORS for lingual thyroid pathologies.